Friday, March 4, 2011

Laughter


 "Laughter is carbonated holiness." Anne Lamott 

It' was a hard week...fighting a cold headachy....exhausted...just not feeling good. My friend came over....started telling me how awful her day at work had been....and her responses to the people who crossed her. 

Her words intense...her face serious..she spoke quickly needing to get it all out. I don't know what it was or why it happened but as she talked about the hardness of her day....the the two of us suddenly cracked up laughing.  Everytime she started to talk...or be serious....and explain what happened....we both burst into uncontrollable laughter. 

Soon neither of us could talk. Everytime we tried....we kept laughing hysterically. Tears rolled down our cheeks. All our frustrations that had seemed so huge disappeared....the tough stuff...my cold...her bad day....it didn't matter no more. 

All week it's been like that...friends calling...wanting to get together...to connect...share....laugh. I've been saying yes...taking risks....being present...letting myself connect with people and life....
There was a time I never laughed...rarely even smiled. A teacher once told me,   you're the saddest child I've ever seen.  Life hurt too much. But now...things have changed. He made the difference...helped me move forward.

Laughter....a gift....total fun....the best feeling. I read somewhere.....classes are being held to teach people to laugh...and clowns are brought into hospitals to get the sick smiling and laughing as part of their healing.

I don't know if I could have been taught to laugh.  In a couple of weeks I have to share my story at Toastmasters. They've suggested I write it down. In writing....I remember the darkness....the loneliness...the fear. I'm not sure anyone could have taught me to let go....and be free enough to laugh. For me...being able to laugh comes  from a  from a place of feeling free. Laughter...it really is the best. 

21 comments:

Finding Pam said...

While our childhoods were different I never laughed as a child. I did not know how to have fun. I had to take care of our mother. She was always trying to kill herself.

Only about ten years ago did I learn how to laugh. My sister and I love to laugh together. It is so uplifting to laugh so much till our sides hurt.

Toastmasters is blessed to hear your story.

Deborah said...

Hi Sarah!
Thanks for following and your visit with me. Im your newest follower (purehunnybee) and Im happy to meet you.
Laughter is the best medicine and I was ready to laugh just hearing this story...lol
Looking foreward to getting to know you better!

Deborah xo

Crown of Beauty said...

This was much fun to read... do you know that sometimes I can get to be too serious, but when the laughter comes, it really loosens me up...

Pure clean laughter, that's what we will have in heaven I have no doubt about it!

Only free people are able to laugh. I agree with you, being able to laugh comes from a place of freedom deep inside of us.

Thanks for your visit to my blog - I always appreciate your coming over.

Makes me feel special.

Love
Lidj

God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty said...

Hi! Thank you for coming by God Is Enthralled By Your Beauty. I love our Debby from Heavenly Humor! :) I really love the powerful medicine that God has provided through laughter. The rythmic vibrations of this tool that God has provided transforms our focus from the storm to the ONE WHO WHO IS OUR REFUGE THROUGH THE STORMS of life. You are a blessing..I am also with Triumphant Victorious Reminders, and I have been following you from that blog. God bless you and keep you! Our Freedom Fighter, Jesus!

Susan said...

Laughter is, indeed, the best medicine, as it says in the Bible. Hope you ave a cheerful day! :) Susan

Wanda's Wings said...

Laughter is the best medicine.

Chatty Crone said...

I guess you can't make up for the past - but I am thrilled you have found laughter now. It is very curative too. It's been on the news lately. love, sandie

Patti Hanan said...

This is beautiful. Laughter is so healing. As it says in Psalms, A cheerful heart does good, like medicine. God has a wonderful sense of humor, and as we grow in in Lord, I think our sense of humor becomes greater, too. Blessings to you.

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry you had a hard week, but it sounds like you (and your friend) got the relief you needed. Laughing can be so cathartic. As can crying. It's interesting that these seemingly opposite behaviors can serve the same function.

Feel better!

Wishing you well,
NOS

Patrinas Pencil said...

I loved this! Yes He has made all the difference!

You had me laughing too. Healing ...I needed that tonight . Thank you for sharing this.

Patrina <")>><

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post! So glad you had this experience and shared it with your readers!

Love the Anne Lamott quote! She is one of my favorite writers!

Judy

Sharon said...

I loved the quote - "carbonated holiness." That's so good.

Sarah, it makes me smile that you have found the gift of laughter. I believe it comes from the heart of God. I can't wait to one day hear Him laughing. I think it will be one of the most beautiful sounds ever heard!

GOD BLESS!

Karen said...

That opening quote is a new one for me...I love the image it makes in my mind...

A good belly laugh is sometimes just what we need...glad you and your friends had some much needed ones!

Your words...whether written or spoken...always bless and inspire....

Paula said...

How very true. Der One, hope you are feeling better. Love and hugs up North

Mya said...

You have come through so much and now you are helping others.
Every time you laugh you must feel the joy of now being free as though it were new. I hope that sometimes when you laugh it is in the present only and that there are no old shadows.

I tried to send an email to you - but I kept getting it back. I made the same basic comment on my blog after your comment, but I wanted to make sure that I touched base with you. I appreciated the comment you made and I wanted to point out the similarities in Passover and Easter besides just the closeness of dates. You probably know it anyway but...in Passover we remember the death angel passing over the houses with the unblemished lamb's blood on the doorpost, and in Easter we remember Jesus (the lamb of God) conquering death through his blood on the cross. Both are about faith, obedience and God's love.

Deborah Ann said...

Could you post your Toastmaster speech? I'd LOVE to hear it!

In the communications manual it said to be real and share some personal things...so I told my story in my rough draft. My mentor said that was way too sad, and that I should rewrite it. I took her advice....but I really wanted to let people know who I was, so that they wouldn't form any false opinions that I'm stuck up or anything. I've heard I come across that way..but I'm just shy! Shy, and fearful sometimes.

So glad you're laughing...it really changes everything!

Mehdi A. said...

Isn't that amazing...
Thanks for sharing ((Sarah)).

Kim said...

What a beautiful post. :o)

Puzzled Hat said...

I think laughter is a blessing for sure - even when things feel big and overwhelming, having a good laugh can bring good relief. :) I'm glad you are able to laugh, even in the midst of the stresses of life. Thanks for sharing this!

Julie Musil said...

It truly is amazing how far you've come. Laughter with friends is priceless. As the Bible says, "a merry heart doeth good, like a medicine." So true!

Anonymous said...

Sarah, my headache is starting to melt. I love the heart you possess. Big big biggggg hug. :)